Citroen XM

Citroen XM: Which Version to Buy and Why

Choosing a Citroen XM means deciding between two generations of Estate 5-door models and a wide range of Gasoline and Diesel engines. The first generation ran from 1989 to 1994 with 13 versions, while the second covered 1994 to 2000 with 22 versions.

Choosing a Citroen XM means deciding between two generations of Estate 5-door models and a wide range of Gasoline and Diesel engines. The first generation ran from 1989 to 1994 with 13 versions, while the second covered 1994 to 2000 with 22 versions. Among the supplied specifications, the strongest performance choice is the first-generation 3.0 MT with 200 hp: it reaches 100 km/h in 8.6 seconds and 235 km/h. The economy-focused choice is the first-generation 2.1 MT with 109 or 110 hp, both rated at 6.6 l/100 km combined. Buyers seeking a later car can choose anything from the second-generation 2.1 MT Diesel with 109 hp to the 3.0 AT Gasoline version with 190 hp.

Citroen XM generations: what changed?

The first-generation Citroen XM was produced from 1989 to 1994 as an Estate 5-door and included 13 versions. The supplied selection covers naturally aspirated and Turbo engines, Gasoline and Diesel fuel, 4-cylinder Inline and 6-cylinder V-shaped layouts, and Manual or Automatic transmissions. Output ranges from 82 hp in the naturally aspirated 2.1 MT Diesel to 200 hp in the 3.0 MT Gasoline version. Every listed car is FWD, has independent hydropneumatic suspension at both ends, 140 mm of ground clearance, and an 80-litre fuel tank.

The second-generation Citroen XM ran from 1994 to 2000, retained the Estate 5-door body, and expanded the catalogue to 22 versions. The displayed specifications include 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT Gasoline cars, Turbo 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT alternatives, 3.0 MT and 3.0 AT Gasoline models, plus 2.1 MT, 2.1 AT and 2.5 MT Diesel versions. Power in the supplied entries spans 109–190 hp. All remain FWD with independent hydropneumatic suspension, 140 mm clearance and an 80-litre tank. Ventilated disc front brakes replace the first generation’s listed disc front brakes.

Citroen XM engine specs

Repeated version names are distinguished by generation, power and, where necessary, specification. This matters particularly for 2.0 MT, 2.0 AT, 2.1 MT, 3.0 MT and 3.0 AT.

The first-generation 2.0 MT Turbo produces about 72.6 hp per litre, while the naturally aspirated 2.0 MT produces about 61.1 hp per litre. In the second generation, the respective figures rise to about 73.6 and 66.1 hp per litre. The second-generation Turbo therefore adds 15 hp and 55 Nm over its naturally aspirated 132 hp counterpart without changing the 1998 cc displacement.

For Diesel buyers, the second-generation 2.5 MT offers the highest torque at 285 Nm. That is 35 Nm more than the 109 hp 2.1 MT, accompanied by an extra 20 hp. The first-generation naturally aspirated 2.1 MT has only 82 hp and 147 Nm; the Turbo 2.1 MT with 109 hp adds 27 hp and 103 Nm.

Citroen XM performance, mpg and fuel economy

The performance premium of the first-generation 3.0 MT with 200 hp is clear: it is 1.1 seconds quicker to 100 km/h and 13 km/h faster than the later-specification 170 hp 3.0 MT, but its combined consumption is 0.6 l/100 km higher. Among first-generation 2.0 MT cars with complete figures, the 145 hp Turbo reaches 100 km/h 2.1 seconds sooner than the later-specification 122 hp model while using 0.1 l/100 km more combined.

In the second generation, the 147 hp 2.0 MT Turbo reaches 100 km/h 1.3 seconds sooner than the 132 hp 2.0 MT in the earlier supplied specification. With Automatic transmissions, the Turbo cuts that comparison by 2.8 seconds, from 15.4 to 12.6 seconds. The later-specification 132 hp 2.0 MT records 10.8 seconds and 205 km/h, but its measured combined consumption is 9.6 l/100 km.

Citroen XM dimensions, weight and practical specifications

Exterior length, width, height and wheelbase are not measured in the supplied data. Wheel sizes are also not measured for every version. All listed Citroen XM versions have 140 mm of ground clearance and an 80-litre fuel tank.

Kerb weight varies substantially. In the first generation, measured values run from 1310 kg for the later-specification 2.0 MT with 122 hp to 1505 kg for one 3.0 MT with 170 hp. Gross weight ranges from 1900 to 2140 kg where measured. The 200 hp 3.0 MT weighs 1475 kg, equivalent to about 7.4 kg per horsepower. The later 145 hp 2.0 MT Turbo weighs 1400 kg, or about 9.7 kg per horsepower, while the 82 hp 2.1 MT Diesel weighs 1380 kg, or about 16.8 kg per horsepower.

In the second generation, measured kerb weights range from 1395 kg for the later-specification 2.0 MT with 132 hp to 1655 kg for the 3.0 AT with 190 hp. Gross weights span 1920–2270 kg. The 147 hp 2.0 MT Turbo weighs 1525 kg, about 10.4 kg per horsepower; the 190 hp 3.0 AT weighs 1655 kg, about 8.7 kg per horsepower. Kerb weight is not measured for the supplied Automatic versions with 132, 147, 167 or 109 hp.

Which Citroen XM version should you buy?

For the strongest acceleration and highest top speed, choose the first-generation 3.0 MT with 200 hp. Its 8.6-second sprint and 235 km/h maximum lead every version with measured performance, although its 10.2 l/100 km combined consumption is also the highest measured combined figure.

For a balance of speed and measured economy, the later-specification first-generation 2.0 MT Turbo with 145 hp is persuasive. It reaches 100 km/h in 9.8 seconds, runs to 212 km/h and consumes 8.9 l/100 km combined. Against the later-specification 122 hp 2.0 MT, it supplies 23 extra horsepower and 54 extra Nm, saves 2.1 seconds in acceleration and adds 11 km/h, with a combined-consumption increase of only 0.1 l/100 km.

For minimum measured fuel consumption, choose a first-generation Turbo Diesel 2.1 MT with 109 or 110 hp. Both return 6.6 l/100 km combined and take 12.9 seconds to reach 100 km/h. The 110 hp version has a 192 km/h top speed, 2 km/h above the 109 hp version, although its listed torque is 7 Nm lower. The naturally aspirated 82 hp 2.1 MT uses 0.3 l/100 km more combined and takes 6.1 seconds longer to reach 100 km/h, so the supplied numbers favor either Turbo Diesel.

For a second-generation Diesel, the choice is between economy-oriented displacement and stronger torque. The 2.1 MT provides 109 hp and 250 Nm and reaches 100 km/h in 12.9 seconds. The 2.5 MT adds 20 hp and 35 Nm, but its measured acceleration is 0.2 seconds slower and its kerb weight is 123 kg higher. Fuel consumption for both second-generation Diesel versions is not measured.

For a second-generation Gasoline car, the 147 hp 2.0 MT Turbo is the performance-focused four-cylinder choice, while the 132 hp 2.0 MT avoids Turbo. The 190 hp 3.0 AT adds 43 hp and 32 Nm over the Turbo 2.0 AT, reaches 100 km/h 1.9 seconds sooner and raises top speed by 21 km/h. Its fuel consumption is not measured, so no economy comparison can be made from the supplied data.

Automatic buyers should pay close attention to missing measurements. Several 2.0 AT variants have performance data, but the first-generation 2.0 AT versions, second-generation 3.0 AT with 167 hp and second-generation 2.1 AT have acceleration and top-speed figures that are not measured. Where comparable second-generation figures exist, Manual is quicker: the 132 hp 2.0 MT beats its Automatic counterpart by 3.6 seconds to 100 km/h, while the 147 hp 2.0 MT beats its Automatic counterpart by 2.1 seconds. On the evidence available, Manual versions provide the clearest combination of documented performance, measured weight and, in the first generation, measured fuel economy.